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TV News Helicopter Collision Kills All 4 On Board

Jenny Albano — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:48:04 GMT

On July 28, two TV news helicopters crashed into each other while trying to follow a police chase in Phoenix, Arizona. The helicopters collided over Steele Indian School Park around 12:40 P.M. and crashed into the lawn in front of a boarded-up church. The choppers were engulfed in flames and all four people in the two helicopters died.

Killed on board the KTVK chopper were pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox. Reporter Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak were aboard the KNXV aircraft, the stations reported.

Television viewers did not see the crash because the cameras were pointed at the ground, but viewers did see footage from one of the cameras where the helicopter started to spin out of control. The station promptly switched to the studio so no one would witness the crash.

The crash occurred when the suspect being followed by police, identified as Christopher Jones, got out of the pickup truck he was driving and hijacked another vehicle.

Now police have stated that the man arrested in the police chase may be held accountable for the deaths in the helicopter crash. Jones was booked in jail on Friday night and is being held on two counts of vehicle theft, four counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, and one count of resisting arrest. His bail was set at $1 million.

Witnesses who saw the crash occur stated that they did not notice any problems with either helicopter before the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had eight investigators arrive on scene late Friday night to start collecting evidence, and NTSB announced the preliminary report on the crash should be ready in five business days from the day of the accident.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Airlines, Cruises, Buses, and Other Mass Transit Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Starbucks Employees Possible Identity Theft Victims

Staff Writer — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 10:52:04 GMT

Just this past week, Starbucks lost track of four laptop computers containing sensitive information including social security numbers, addresses and names of over 60,000 company employees. Looks like this company may know how to serve up some Java but needs some lessons on how to protect sensitive employee information. These employees may become the next victims of identity theft as a result of improper data security.

If you suspect that you have been or may become a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission web site entitled "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft" contains resources which may assist. This web site also contains a list of other web sites providing resources to guard against or assist victims of identity theft.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Insurance Company Profits to Top Sixty Billion

Staff Writer — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:47:22 GMT

The other day, I discussed the topic of increasing health insurance premiums across the country. I mentioned that perhaps we all should consider investing in health insurance companies because premiums and profits have been rising at a faster rate than claims payouts. Well it turns out that health insurance companies are not the only successful insurance producer. According to the New York Times, overall the insurance industry expects to earn about sixty billion dollars in profit. This comes after the insurance industry earned forty-three billion dollars last year in spite of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

According to the New York Times,

Industry experts are estimating that profits may reach $60 billion, on a combination of higher premiums along the coasts, no major payouts for natural disasters and strong investment returns. The insurers also had high profits on other lines of coverage like auto insurance, workers compensation and general liability.

Have you ever imagined a situation when insurance companies suggest that because they have earned too much profit, they returned money to policyholders? How much profit is enough? I do not believe our government has the right to regulate the extent to which an insurance company can make a profit; however, I also believe that policyholders have the right to demand accountability if a comany ignores its obligation of good faith and fair dealing with policyholders and instead attempts to reward shareholders.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Phoenix Bans Texting While Driving

Staff Writer — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:41:16 GMT

Last week, Phoenix became the first city in the nation to ban text messaging while driving. Based on dangers associated with distracted driving, city officials concluded that the dangers of text messaging while driving outweigh any possible public benefits. For the next thirty days, police officers and other public officials will notify and educate drivers about the dangers of texting while driving and the civil penalty imposed of up to $100 if you are caught texting and driving.

Other cities have been quick to follow with similar proposals to ban texting. In fact, the City of Scottsdale Transportation Committee may recommend to the Scottsdale City Council that it enact a similar ban based on a goal of reducing driver distractions which can lead to collisions.

How will police enforce such a ban? While we can appreciate the goal of reducing collisions caused by driver distractions, will the ban actually accomplish this goal? Perhaps it might. However, I am not sure drivers will change texting behavior as a result of the recent City Council action. I would guess that younger drivers use text messaging features on their wireless phones more than any other class of drivers in our state. Perhaps other oversight actions such as raising the legal driving age to eighteen may accomplish similar objectives backed by easier enforcement. What do you think? Do you believe this ban will affect driver behavior? Will it discourage you from getting into your vehicle and typing a text message on your phone while you are driving down Central Avenue in Phoenix? Let me know your thoughts.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Four Dead in Pickup Truck Accident Carrying Illegal Immigrants

Jenny Albano — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:22:35 GMT

A pickup truck crashed Sunday morning, April 27, killing four of its passengers. The vehicle was carrying as many as 60 people when it rolled over in a remote part of Arizona.

Investigators believe that the people in the pickup truck were illegal immigrants. The truck was driving from 50 to 60 people and 20 to 30 people fled the scene of the accident into the desert. So far none of the passengers who fled have been found.

So far there have not been any arrests made, but police officers are looking for the driver of the vehicle who fled the scene as well.

Helicopters flew 18 injured passengers to area hospitals in Phoenix and Tucson and nine were ground transported to Phoenix and Tucson hospitals, White said. The four who died were all males. The investigation is on going, but it is believed that speed was the ultimate factor in the rollover and alcohol could have been a factor.

The accident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning near Arizona city, which is 60 miles south of Phoenix.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

TJX Companies SEC Filing Details 47.5 Million Possible Identity Theft Victims

Staff Writer — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:20:33 GMT

TXJ Companies has finally come clean with some more details about the number of possible identity theft victims as a result of its failure to abide by credit card processing standards. Discussing this data security breach, in a regulatory filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, the TXJ Companies indicated,

Discovery of Computer Intrusion. On December 18, 2006, we learned of suspicious software on our computer systems. We immediately initiated an investigation, and the next day, General Dynamics Corporation and International Business Machines Corporation, leading computer security and incident response firms, were engaged to assist in the investigation. They determined on December 21, 2006 that there was strong reason to believe that our computer systems had been intruded upon and that an Intruder remained on our computer systems. With the assistance of our investigation team, we immediately began to design and implement a plan to monitor and contain the ongoing Computer Intrusion, protect customer data and strengthen the security of our computer systems against the ongoing Computer Intrusion and possible future attacks.

On December 22, 2006, we notified law enforcement officials of the suspected Computer Intrusion and later that day met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Attorney, Boston Office to brief them. At that meeting, the U.S. Secret Service advised us that disclosure of the suspected Computer Intrusion might impede their criminal investigation and requested that we maintain the confidentiality of the suspected Computer Intrusion until law enforcement determined that disclosure would no longer compromise the investigation.

TJX Companies did not inform the Securities and Exchange Commission about the precise number of identity theft victims resulting from its failure to properly secure or purge data. According to the Associated Press, however, this number is staggering:

At least 45.7 million credit and debit card numbers of TJX Cos. (TJX) customers were stolen from the discount retailer's computer system over several years, according to a regulatory filing by the company Wednesday.

Unfortunately, not only have credit and debit card numbers been stolen, but also criminals have been using the stolen data as evidenced by arrests just this past week of six people in Florida attempting to use stolen credit card numbers to buy goods totaling about $1 million dollars.

This recent SEC filing and TJX Company disclosure should serve as a reminder to consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes on your credit record if you have ever shopped at TJMaxx or Marshalls stores in the past twenty-four months. I sincerely hope that companies use this case as a stark reminder to take internet security and credit-card processing protections and security standards seriously.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Walgreens Pharmacy Held Accountable for Prescription Error

Staff Writer — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:33:58 GMT

A Coconino County jury awarded one of the largest wrongful death verdicts to the family of a high school coach who died after taking a lethal combination of medications which should never have been dispensed together. The jury found that Walgreens pharmacy should have warned the patient and his physician about the lethal and toxic effects that the pain medications Tramadol and Methadone have when taken together. Presumably, the jury believed that the pharmacy had the last known opportunity to prevent a lethal combination of drugs from getting into the hands of a patient who did not have any idea about the toxic effects of these drugs when administered together. The jury likely concluded that Walgreens pharmacy should have discovered the extreme lethal dangers when technicians first input both prescriptions into the pharmacy computer system. Unfortunately, I do not believe that this prescription error was an isolated occurrence in pharmacies throughout the nation. Pharmacy prescription errors are a leading cause of death and injury in our country. Additionally, medical errors in general affect one in ten patients worldwide.

In this Arizona case, the jury awarded six million dollars to the plaintiffs who alleged pharmacy malpractice arguing that the:

Walgreens pharmacist who filled his prescriptions should have warned Warren and his doctor that the drugs shouldn't be used together. Technicians should have received a computer warning of the interactions, they argued.
Walgreen countered that Warren was negligent and caused his own death or that his doctor was negligent in prescribing the medication.

When you receive a prescription, do you believe that the pharmacist will dispense the right medication and not some similarly sounding drug? Do you believe the pharmacist will explain the proper dosage, administration and usage to you? Do you believe the pharmacist will warn you about any drug interactions you may face? Do you believe the pharmacist will give you an opportunity to ask questions? I believe safe administration of medication should be a priority in all pharmacies. I also believe that the wrong medication should never leave a pharmacy if the pharmacist and staff prioritize patient safety when dispensing controlled substances. I guess the Coconino County jury agreed.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Maricopa County Loses a Fine Judge

Staff Writer — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:53:11 GMT

Today we mourn the loss of a Judge with the Juvenile Division of the Maricopa County Superior Court. Judge John Gaylord was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 2000 and for the past three years was assigned to the Juvenile Court facility in Mesa. I never had an opportunity to appear in front of Judge Gaylord in the Juvenile Court. However, I know that Judge Gaylord had an outstanding reputation for fairness and compassion. Attorneys I know who appeared in front of him always held a high regard for his professionalism. He also was very active in the community and set a shining example of a model jurist in our state.

Tragically, Judge Gaylord

was killed yesterday evening when his motorcycle was hit by an out-of-control vehicle pulling a trailer.
Judge John M. Gaylord died at the scene of the crash. The Department of Public Safety says his 2005 Harley-Davidson was northbound on State Route 79 outside Florence when the driver of a southbound Land Rover pulling a boat crossed into his lanes.

I am sure that he will be missed by friends, family and colleagues alike and am truly sorry to not have had the privilege of appearing in his court. Maybe Judge Gaylord's tragic passing will reinforce the notion that roadway safety advocates should not ignore motorcyclists. Motorcycle safety has been a controversial topic lately. Notwithstanding this controversy, this topic should not be overlooked on Arizona roadways. Automobiles, trucks and motorcycles all share our state's roads and freeways. In light of so many tragic motorcycle accidents and in spite of the safety controversy, the Department of Transportation, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the Federal Highway Administration, other safety organizations and drivers alike must all ensure that drivers look out for motorcycles when driving, and freeway planners must consider motorcycle safety when considering roadway expansion or new construction. Our sincere condolences on the loss of Judge Gaylord. Maybe his high profile passing will help reinforce the importance of motorcycle safety to the driving public and to roadway safety engineers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk in Cantaloupes

Jenny Albano — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:38:19 GMT

The FDA has put an import alert on cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because the fruit may be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. Cantaloupes shipped to the United States from this company are to be detained. Also, grocers and food providers are to remove the cantaloupes from this company from their stock.

Consumers who have recently purchased cantaloupes should check to see who the grower and packer are. if the cantaloupes are from Agropecuaria Montelibano then they should be thrown away.

So far there have been 50 reports of illness in 16 different states and 9 confirmed illnesses in Canada that have been linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. There have not been any deaths but 14 people have had to be hospitalized.

The FDA is taking this preventive measure while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners. Such intervention is a key component of FDA's Food Protection Plan.

To learn more about Salmonella and its symptoms click here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Mother is Charged With Homicide After Son Dies in Car

Jenny Albano — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:24:57 GMT

A mother of a 17 year-old month boy went in to work at Hooters Tuesday morning and when she returned to her car when her shift was over she realized she had forgotten her son was still in the vehicle. Unfortunately the toddler died because of the temperatures in the car.

Ashly Duchene was booked with a felony count of negligent homicide. She normally dropped her son off at daycare before work, but for some unknown reason she did not drop her son off Tuesday morning. Instead she left her son in the car from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Efforts to revive the boy by witnesses, officers and firefighters were unsuccessful. Temperatures hit nearly 90 degrees Tuesday, but it would have been more than 100 degrees inside the car, said Sgt. Joel Tranter.

Officials think that the reason no one reported that the boy was left in the car was because their view was obstructed by tinted windows. Police requested an interview with Duchene Wednesday morning but were did not receive an immediate response.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano